Angelica medicinal (Angelica archangelica) is also popularly called angelica medicinal, it is a herb belonging to the Umbrella family. For the first time, grass was found in the northern part of Eurasia. Cultivated species of angelica are grown as a medicinal or ornamental plant. In addition to angelica, in different countries, you can hear such names as wolf or meadow pipe, podryanka, piper or angelica. The Europeans christened the grass angelica. On the territory of Europe, the plant began its distribution at the beginning of the 15th century. Under natural conditions, angelica is found mainly in the forest zone or grows along the coast.
Description of Angelica officinalis
Angelica officinalis is a biennial upright herb. Peduncles exude a strong aroma. First, a basal rosette is formed, and after a year the stems grow. The roots are brown, shortened. The root system is well developed. Over time, the rhizome is overgrown with many lateral roots. The pulp contains a white with a yellow tinge juice. The height of the shoots is sometimes about 2.5 m. The stems are thick and tubular; they branch out at the crown and form inflorescences.
The leaf blades are pinnate and large, with three-lobed or two-lobed segments. The leaves near the roots are wide and triangular, while the stems look a little smaller. At the end of the hollow shoots, a spherical umbellate inflorescence is formed. Its diameter sometimes reaches 15 cm. Peduncles are lush and consist of pale tiny flowers, painted in a yellow-green tone. Each flower is formed from 5 petals. At the end of the flowering period, a yellow or light green fruit remains that looks like an ellipse. Flowers bloom at the beginning of summer. The two-seed ripening occurs from July to September.
Growing angelica in the garden
Sowing seeds
The most optimal place for growing Angelica officinalis is considered to be an illuminated area with moist fertile soil. Before starting sowing, the soil is dug up and organic fertilizers are applied. Sowing is carried out in late autumn, so that during the winter the seeds have time to stratify and get stronger. They are evenly distributed over the surface of the site and lightly sprinkled with earth. The germination rate when growing angelica from seeds is low, so the crops can be made thicker. It is not at all necessary to organize additional shelter before wintering for the area where the sowing was performed.
In the case of spring sowing, the seeds are stored in a cool place for several months, placed in wooden containers filled with wet sand. The seed is weak enough and often dies, so by the spring it will be possible to get a small amount of green shoots.
Angelica care
Planting and caring for angelica is not particularly difficult. After the first green shoots are formed, the area where the angelica is grown must be mulched with moss.The plant is unpretentious and develops well if the minimum requirements are met. During a drought period, the seedlings are watered, the soil is loosened and fertilized with mineral compounds a couple of times throughout the year.
Storage and collection
Angelica root is considered to be healing. It is in it that the most useful substances are found, but seeds and leaves are also used. The harvesting of the roots of the shoots of the first year of life is carried out in the fall, and of the biennial shoots - in the spring. The roots are carefully dug up, shaken off the ground and washed thoroughly. It is not recommended to use rhizomes heavily damaged by rodents or insects.
The peeled and washed roots are dried in the fresh air or in a well-ventilated area, spreading them out on a sheet of paper or a wire rack in a thin layer. It is allowed to dry raw materials in an oven, keeping a low temperature. It is better to harvest the leaves during the flowering period. The dried roots and leaves are stored in boxes.
Angelica officinalis is able to maintain its medicinal properties for two years.
Types and varieties of angelica with photo
In total, there are 3 cultivated subspecies of angelica: Archangelica, Norvegica and Litoralis. In Europe, the most common varieties of angelica are called Jizerka and Budakalaszi. Our breeders do not participate in the cultivation of these varieties.
Angelica diseases and pests
Sometimes this herbaceous biennial is affected by rust or powdery mildew. To prevent the occurrence of such fungal diseases, it is necessary to regularly remove weeds, use fertilizers with a low nitrogen content, and observe crop rotation. It is not recommended to treat seedlings with chemicals, otherwise the plant will lose all medicinal properties, since the vegetative parts will accumulate toxic substances.
The danger from insects is the spider mite. You can get rid of pests with the help of tobacco broth prepared on the basis of shag or tobacco. Filter the broth and let it brew. To add stickiness, add 3-4 tablespoons of liquid soap to the infusion. Sick bushes and the area around them are sprayed.
Useful properties of angelica
Healing properties
The roots of the plant contain essential oils, acids, pectin and tannins. The juice obtained from the rhizome is rich in protein, fats, proteins, fiber, and also smells like musk. Among other things, the green shoots of this biennial contain B vitamins, phosphorus, ascorbic acid. The aroma of the flower stalks exude thanks to ambrettolide - a substance that is part of the oil.
Even in ancient times, angelica was used as a circulatory stimulator. The plant is able to exert a tonic effect on the cardiovascular system, increases the resistance of the immune system. The use of angelica allows you to speed up the process of excretion of bile from the human body. Doctors prescribe to drink angelica infusion for diseases associated with the kidneys, gout and rheumatism. For back pain, it is recommended to rub your back with alcohol tincture from a piper.
Many herbal medications for alcoholism contain angelica root, which also acts as an effective diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and natural antiseptic. Decoctions prepared on the basis of the root of the plant are used for diseases of the upper respiratory tract and the lumbar spine, gastric tract, female infertility, cystitis, dizziness and impaired blood circulation.
Angelica herb is often used in folk medicine to treat skin conditions such as psoriasis and various skin rashes. In cosmetology and perfumery, it is added for fragrances, due to which perfumes and colognes have a unique oriental bouquet. Angelica is also mixed into alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, so the plant is of particular value for the food industry.
Even honey is made from angelica.The color is both deep brown and red-amber. The consistency of piper honey is a fine-grained resinous paste. The thick honey obtained from angelica is practically unable to crystallize, has a pleasant, pronounced aroma and leaves a long aftertaste. Such a sweetish medicine contains both bitter and caramel notes.
Contraindications
No serious contraindications for the use of angelica were found. The only one who should give up the plant is for people who have an individual intolerance to the substances that make up the roots or leaves. Pregnant women and patients with diabetes are also not recommended to drink angelica decoctions, so as not to provoke an unwanted reaction.
